Anapen® adrenaline injectors now available in Australia!

We welcome the availability of a second adrenaline injector, Anapen®, in Australia. Australians will now have a choice of device that best suits their needs as discussed with their treating doctor. We hope an alternate adrenaline autoinjector in the Australian market reduces the likelihood of chronic shortages, leading to people being left without life-saving medication or having to rely on expired devices.

The Anapen® will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 September, 2021. Anapen® is being distributed by Allergy Concepts in Australia.

How to use Anapen®

The steps to give Anapen® are different from the steps to give EpiPen®. We have made a short animation to help individuals, first aid trainers, health professionals, teaching and childcare staff and the general public learn how to use Anapen® to treat anaphylaxis. Watch it here.  

 

Remember: We already have an animation showing people how to administer the EpiPen®. Watch it here.

ASCIA Action Plan for Anapen®

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) has also published an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis for Anapen®. 

Always keep your ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis for Anapen® with your Anapen®s.

How many dose strengths does Anapen® come in?

Each Anapen® contains one dose of adrenaline

Anapen® will be available in three dose strengths:

• Anapen® 150 Junior (150mcg) for children weighing 7.5-20kg
• Anapen® 300 (300mcg) for children and adults weighing 20kg and over
• and importantly, Anapen® 500 (500mcg) for teens and adults weighing 50 kg and over.

Teens and adults who weigh 50kg and over can discuss possible prescription of the 500mcg dose of Anapen® with their doctor. See the ASCIA guidelines – Acute management of anaphylaxis.

Anapen® Trainers

If, after speaking with your health professional, you are prescribed an Anapen®, it is important that you learn how to use the device. We now have Anapen® trainer devices available for purchase in our online shop. These can be purchased as a single device, in packs of ten or as a single device kit containing further information about Anapen® and emergency treatment of anaphylaxis.

The general public, teachers, carers, workplaces and so forth, need to be prepared to give whichever adrenaline injector an individual has been prescribed or whichever adrenaline injector is available in a first aid kit.